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We are the voice of the legal profession and speak on issues that affect the judiciary, the administration of justice and our profession. The CBA is the premier provider of professional development for lawyers, ensuring that Albertans have the highest quality legal representation. The Alberta Branch promotes the work of lawyers through our public legal education programs and Law Day activities. We assist the public in accessing legal help by providing volunteers to assist non-profit organizations, advocating for expanded legal aid and promoting pro bono work by lawyers. The CBA-Alberta does this and more through the dedication of our members. Lawyers, judges and law students volunteering their time to advance the profession and the public interest.
The Canadian Bar Association represents over 37,000 lawyers, judges, notaries, law teachers, and law students from across Canada. The Association is dedicated to the following purposes: to improve the law; to improve the administration of justice; to promote access to justice; to promote equality in the profession and justice system; to improve the knowledge, skills, ethical standards and well-being of members of the legal profession; to represent the legal profession nationally and internationally; and to promote the interests of members of the CBA.
The Association is governed by a National Council which is comprised of elected representatives from each Province and Territory. This National Council meets twice a year; at the Canadian Legal Conference (National Annual Meeting) and at the time of the National Mid-Winter Meeting. Between meetings the business of the Association is conducted by the National President, the Table Officers, the Board of Directors. Each branch has a representative on the Board of Directors, in Alberta our President is the National Executive Representative.
The National Board of Directors consists of a President, 1st and 2nd Vice-President, Past President and Treasurer. The 2nd Vice-President is an elected position by all members of the National Council, and then progresses to 1st Vice-President and then President. The Treasurer is also a position elected by members of the National Council. The current National President isTrinda Ernst, QC, the 1st Vice-President is Robert Brun, QC, the 2nd Vice-President is Fred Headon, and the Past President is Rod Snow. The National Treasurer is Annette Horst.
The Alberta Branch Council consists of 19 voting National and 34 non-voting elected members. The CBA - Alberta Branch also includes the Chairs of the Sections and Committee Chairs as members of Alberta Council.
The executive structure in Alberta is as follows: President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary and Past President. The entry level position is the secretary position decided by election of the Branch Council.
Alberta has 38 active Sections in Calgary, 32 active Sections in Edmonton and an active provincial section. These Sections make their material available to C.B.A. members practicing outside of these centres. Every August, the C.B.A. distributes the Section Registration Forms to all Alberta lawyers in the "Law Matters" publication. There are 9 National Conferences and 29 National CBA Sections and full membership in a Provincial Section automatically gives a member registration in the corresponding National Section. There are 9 Provincial Standing Committees and 14 National Standing Committees. Each year forms are distributed to every CBA member inviting nominations to these committees.
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